BACKGROUND: The cryopreservation procedures that allow preserving sperm cells have been applied for sperm of many species. A sugar like glucose, fructose and sucrose were frequently used in cryomedia but up to the present pine honey was not used for cryopreservation of sperm
cells. OBJECTIVE: The objective of present study is to investigate the effect of pine honey in various concentrations of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg ml-1 solutions on cryopreservation and fertilization ability of spermatozoa of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). MATERIALS
AND METHODS: Totally 12.5% (v/v) Me2SO as a cryoprotectant and 10% (v/v) egg yolk added all extenders. Pine honey also compared with sugars as glucose, fructose (monosaccharide) and sucrose (disaccharide). Collected semen samples were diluted at the ratio of 1:9 with the extenders. After
dilutions, the sperm motility was assessed for each group and then the diluted semen samples were cryopreserved. RESULTS: The extenders containing 300 mg ml-1 pine honey group showed both highest post thaw motility 75.3±5.1%, motility duration (s) 47.3±2.5% and hatching
ratio 42.6±4.2% than other cryopreserved groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Using the pine honey in cryomedia is effective for cryopreservation especially about hatching success of egg fertilized by frozen-thawed sperm of common carp.

CryoLetters is a bimonthly international journal for low temperature sciences, including cryobiology, cryopreservation or vitrification of cells and tissues, chemical and physical aspects of freezing and drying, and studies involving ecology of cold environments, and cold adaptation

The journal publishes original research reports, authoritative reviews, technical developments and commissioned book reviews of studies of the effects produced by low temperatures on a wide variety of scientific and technical processes, or those involving low temperature techniques in the investigation of physical, chemical, biological and ecological problems.